Page 36 of Kayak Girl

“I’m just messing with you. That’s another thing I like, by the way. I enjoy talking to you and teasing you. You have some sharp wit under that shy exterior.”

I blushed. “Okay, that’s enough. I can’t take any more kind words from you. Go finish the hot cocoa.”

Gray fixed my drink, just the way I liked it, and handed it over. Then he turned the tables on me. “What about you, Kayak Girl? Why’d you break your rule?”

I stared at the swirling steam coming from the mug in my hands as I considered my answer. Then I looked into his eyes and said, “I tried to resist you, but I can’t. It was the eye contact that first Sunday. I don’t know if you noticed, but I’ve agreed to everything you offered me since then. Kayak sessions, your baking assistance, frozen peas for my nose, lunch with your parents, ice cream for dinner—I can’t say no.”

I giggled and Gray leaned forward to kiss my cheek.

We finished our cocoa and chatted a little more, but soon we both decided to call it a day, otherwise tomorrow would trample all over us.

Chapter 26

GRAY

After dinner the next evening, my mind was a whirlwind of anticipation and nerves. I had spent the entire day in a daze, barely able to focus on my tasks, my thoughts constantly drifting to Elle. It was a peculiar kind of agony, being so close to her yet unsure of the ground we stood on. Just last night, we had tentatively broached the topic of ‘us,’ acknowledging a mutual desire for something more, yet the contours of that ‘more’ remained undefined. As the day meandered on, I concocted a plan to steal a moment alone with her, hoping it would offer the clarity I so desperately needed.

“Thanks, Brenda, dinner was delicious,” I said as I pulled Elle toward the door. “I’m going to steal Elle for an evening kayak now that the dishes are done.”

Elle looked puzzled as we hadn’t discussed this, but I wanted to surprise her.

“Sounds like fun for young people like you,” Brenda said. “After hobbling around all day, I just need a nap.”

“You’ve earned it,” I said to Brenda.

I looked at Elle with my eyebrows raised to ask if she was for Team Nap or Team Kayak. She squeezed my hand and rolled her eyes at me, as if I should know better.

Elle and I paddled up an estuary that we had been on before, but at this time of the evening, I hoped it would soon have an extra magical element. Unless they had moved, in a few minutes, hundreds of fireflies would light up this space. I glided to a stop, and Elle pulled in behind me.

“Why are we stopping? Should we turn back now?” she asked.

I pulled her alongside me and secured our kayaks together. “We are waiting for something,” I said, not wanting to start my speech without my glowing friends.

“Is someone joining us?”

“Sort of. You’ll have to wait and see. It’s a surprise. While we wait, why don’t you tell me your favorite thing about today?”

“No way can I choose. I’ve loved the whole day.”

“Good, I’m happy if you’re happy.”

Elle smiled and looked around. I could sense her about to ask another question about us aimlessly drifting when she squealed, “Look, a firefly!”

“They are who we were waiting for,” I said with a laugh. Elle’s delight delighted me. I grabbed hold of her hand as we watched the fireflies flicker to life. My nerves seemed to build as more fireflies joined their friends. I was certain Elle liked me, but I wasn’t certain she would be on board with my ideas about the future. We wouldn’t have to rush anything; I just wanted her to know I was serious about her.

“We are surrounded,” Elle said with awe in her voice. She met my eyes.

“Thanks, guys,” I said, tipping my head toward the bugs while keeping my gaze fixed on her. She giggled at my response. I squeezed her hand and cleared my throat. Here goes. “Elle, in the short time we’ve known each other, you’ve transformed my world, bringing a magic to it I never want to lose. You’ve guided me to a deeper understanding of faith, and every day, you challenge and inspire me to be a better version of myself. You’re so gorgeous to me. I love that we are exploring the idea of something more between us, but ‘something more’ barely scratches the surface of how deeply I feel for you. Elle, can we agree right now that you’re my girl?” I said, my voice low and earnest.

She tilted her head and squinted her eyes. “Yours? Like your girlfriend?”

I cleared my throat and smiled at her. “Weston thinks I’m rushing things, but I feel like I’ve known you forever. I don’t want you to doubt my feelings.” There was a pause, a moment where the world seemed to hold its breath along with me, as I searched her eyes for any sign of her thoughts. “I’d really like for you to be my girlfriend. That is, if you feel the same way?”

She nodded, and I felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a tinge of apprehension at the look on her face.

“What about when I leave to continue my trip? When you say I’m your girlfriend, does that include a long-distance relationship?”

“I’ve thought about it a lot, and I’m certain of one thing,” I leveled my gaze with hers and continued, “You. I need you in my life, and if that means long-distance, so be it. Let’s just take it a day at a time for now, okay?”

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